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UCLA Football: The best player at every position during the Jim Mora era

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Linebacker Myles Jack #30 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after the Bruins stopped the USC Trojans on fourth down on the five yard line to take over on downs on the final play of the first quarter at the Rose Bowl on November 22, 2014 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Linebacker Myles Jack #30 of the UCLA Bruins celebrates after the Bruins stopped the USC Trojans on fourth down on the five yard line to take over on downs on the final play of the first quarter at the Rose Bowl on November 22, 2014 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 08: Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn #15 of the UCLA Bruins kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies on November 8, 2014 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Bruins defeated the Huskies 44-30. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 08: Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn #15 of the UCLA Bruins kicks a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Washington Huskies on November 8, 2014 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Bruins defeated the Huskies 44-30. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Go Joe Bruin takes a look at the best UCLA football players at every position during the Jim Mora era (2012-2017).

One of the biggest grievances UCLA football fans had about the Jim Mora era was that the former coach was able to recruit top talent, but was not able to turn that into championships.

RELATED: 10 Bold Predictions for UCLA Football in 2018

Though that is unfortunate, Bruins fans were able to watch a plethora of great players wear blue and gold in the last six seasons. That is why we look at the best players at each position to come up with a Jim Mora All-Star team, if you will.

Early 2018 Season Previews

Cincinnati | Oklahoma | Fresno State | Colorado

Special Teams

K: Ki’ami Fairbairn, 2012-15 | 97.7 XP%, 76.4 FG%, 413 total pts

P: Jeff Locke, 2009-2012 | 275 punts, 12,163 yds, 44.2 yds/punt

KR/PR: Ishmael Adams, 2012-16 | 1,815 KR yds, 24.2 KR avg, 323 PR yards, 7.5 PR avg

When looking at the best kickers during the Mora era, there is really only one, the fabulous Ki’ami Fairbairn. The Hawaii native was quite consistent in the four years he booted balls. His achievements, especially during his senior season, eventually won him the Lou Groza Award for the nation’s best kicker.

Jeff Locke has been the most consistent UCLA punters since Chris Sailor. Whenever he was called upon to send the ball downfield, he never disappointed. During his senior season, he averaged 43.3 yards per punt, which is the least per season in his four years.

Back at the start of the Mora era, special teams was no joke under Jeff Ulbrich and that also goes for returners, but we have just one we want to look at. Ishmael Adams came out of nowhere. In 2013 as the coaching staff was looking for an answer to their return game and with his speed, Adams was instantly the go-to guy for kick and punt returns.